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Air Fryer Sabudana Vada in a orange bowl wtih some chutney and yogurt peanut dip.

Sabudana Vada (Air Fryer & Deep Fry)

Sabudana Vada or Sago fritters is an addictive breakfast or a fasting snack. They are crunchy outside and soft inside and can be baked in the air fryer or deep fried.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Soaking Time: 8 hours
Servings: 40 Vadas

Ingredients

  • 3 cup - 400 grams Sabudana see Notes for soaking method
  • 2 cup - 4 Medium sized Boiled potatoes more might be required if the vada cracks
  • 1/2 Cup coarsely grounded roasted peanuts
  • ½ Cup finely ground or semi-coarse roasted peanuts
  • 1-1.5 tablespoon Cumin Seeds
  • 1-1.5 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar This adds taste and balance the flavour, it is not for sweetness
  • 5-6 Green chilies finely chopped as per taste
  • Salt
  • Chopped Coriander Optional

Air Fryer / Oven baking method

  • 1 tablespoon oil If Air-Frying

Frying

  • 1-2 cup Oil for frying Depending on your wok Size

Instructions

Prep work

    Soaking Sabudana

    • Clean and rinse the sabudana well
      3 cup - 400 grams Sabudana
    • Rinse 2-3 times in clean tap water.
    • Drain all the excess water.
    • Soak the sabudana in just enough water.
    • Tip - I like to keep around ¼ cm of the water layer on the top.

    Roasting Peanuts

    • Dry roast the peanuts in a wok or in an oven.
    • Let them cool completely.
    • Once done, remove the skin of the peanuts.
    • Coarsely ground half the peanuts
    • Coarsely ground the remaining half of the peanuts.
    • Roasted peanuts stay good for a month or two in a clean air-tight container at room temperature.

    Boil the potatoes

    • Boil the potatoes 1 day before or at least 4-5 hours before making the vadas.

    Making of the Vada Mixture

    • In a large bowl, add the sabudana.
      3 cup - 400 grams Sabudana
    • Add the ground peanuts.
      1/2 Cup coarsely grounded roasted peanuts, ½ Cup finely ground
    • Grate the potatoes using a grater and add it to the mixture. Tip - I like to grate as then you do not have lumpy potatoes in the mixture and it is evenly mashed.
      2 cup - 4 Medium sized Boiled potatoes
    • Add the cumin seeds, green chili, salt, sugar, lemon juice, and Coriander.
      1-1.5 teaspoon lemon juice, 5-6 Green chilies finely chopped as per taste, Salt, Chopped Coriander, 1-1.5 tablespoon Cumin Seeds
    • Mix everything.
    • Make lemon size balls in between your hand.
    • First, shape the balls by pressing them tight between your hands. Once you attain the shape, either you can make it round or flatten it between your palms.
    • If the vada mixture is sticking to your hand, clean your hand with a spoon, apply some oil or some water to your hands, and shape them.
    • Shape all and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes. Optional step, but best for crunchy vadas.

    Air-Frying Vadas

    • Preheat the air-fryer at 180 Deg C/ 356 Deg F. For my cosori air-fryer, it takes 4 minutes.
    • Once done, spray the baking tray with a little oil.
      1 tablespoon oil
    • Arrange the vadas on the tray.
    • Spray the top again with some oil.
    • Air-Fry it for 15 minutes at 180 Deg C/ 356 Deg F.
    • After 15 minutes flip them, and spray a little oil if they appear dry.
    • Air Fry for 10-15 minutes until they are done.

    Frying Vadas

    • Heat oil in a large wok.
      1-2 cup Oil for frying
    • The oil should be medium hot and not very hot. If you fry the vads in very hot oil they might cook fast from the outside but would be raw from the inside.
    • Slowly add the vadas in the oil, and cook them on one side for 2-3 minutes, until they start floating on the top, or appear somewhat cooked on the bottom.
    • Flip and cook on both sides until golden brown.
    • If your vadas, are breaking add more potatoes and bind again. Reqd tips above.
    • Yummy vadas are ready.

    Notes

    • 1 Cup = 235 ml, 1 tablespoon= 15 ml, 1 teaspoon = 5 ml
    • Any size cup and spoon can be used. Just use the same one.
    • Read the tips above on soaking sabudana, Tips on making the best vadas, and troubleshooting if the vadas are breaking.
    • Air fryer baking time varies depending on the size of your air fryer.